The Open Door Opportunities Day Program assists adults with developmental disabilities and on it's 50th anniversary, renovations to their main facility in East Palestine were completed.
"We think it's significant to have a facility like this to where we could teach them the skills to promote their independence," Chris Page CEO of Threshold Residential Services said. "Ultimately we want the individuals to be part of their community so the skills that we're teaching them here help them to achieve that," he said.
Renovations include a modernized kitchen, accessibility upgrades an upgraded laundry room and calming sensory environments to name a few.
The building was once just an open space that allowed for people to come together. Now, it allows for individuals to be off in their own private spaces developing new skills.
"They learned cooking skills, cleaning skills, how to do laundry, ultimately with the goal in mind to improve their independence," Page said.
East Palestine's Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy tells 21 News this is also just another step forward in reviving the community.
"For East Palestine this investment in property and community is one step forward in investing in our downtown aesthetic, making all of the commercial properties useful and really driving traffic of young professionals," Diaz-Guy said.
Page said TRS is using technology to promote independence as they move into the next 50 years.